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CostHelper.com > Cars  > Replacing a Timing Belt

Replacing a Timing Belt Cost

How Much Does Replacing a Timing Belt Cost?

low cost Range: $250-$750

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Timing belt replacement is something that needs to be done on a scheduled basis, as it can be hard to visually inspect a timing belt. We've compiled the following tips:
1. Find a mechanic before you need one. Do your research and locate a mechanic you trust before you actually need servicing, so you aren't stuck with the first mechanic you find during a time of need.
2. Consult your owner's manual and use that schedule for timing belt replacement. Dealers and service mechanics will often tell you to replace your timing belt every 60,000 miles, but many manufacturers do not recommend changing the timing belt until 80,000 or even 100,000 miles
 
Typical costs:
  • We've seen quotes for timing belt replacement between $250-$750, depending on how much labor is involved (based on the make of the car) and the hourly labor rate
  • Replacing timing belts can take as few as two hours and as many as six hours. We've seen hourly labor quotes from $40 an hour where there is a low cost of living, to over $110-$150 an hour at BMW and Mercedes dealerships in urban areas. In the San Francisco Bay Area, we've seen ordinary repair shops with rates from $55-$80 an hour, and ordinary dealerships with rates of $80-$90.
Additional costs:
  • When people replace timing belts, sometimes they will do other maintenance work, such as replacing the water pump, since they are doing some maintenance work already. Consult your owner's manual to see whether the manufacturer recommends replacing any other parts at the same time.
Shopping for replacing a timing belt:
  • If you've lost your owner's manual, which typically specifies your car's maintenance schedule, you can usually find instructions for ordering a replacement at the manufacturer's web site.
  • If you don't already have a mechanic, look for mechanics who are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Search for ASE certified Blue Seal repair facilities.
Article updated November 2006
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Recent Posts
Amount: $800.00 timing belt
Posted by: s.c. in hillsboro, OR.Purchased: 2004
Car Make: 1997 hondaCar Model: civic
is this too much?
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Amount: $1,325.00 7 years
Posted by: a user in Foslom, CA.Purchased: June, 2010
Car Make: HondaCar Model: Odyssey 2003
Have 50k miles, however 7 years service came first.Prices are before tax.
1) Timing belt - 380$
2)Water pump/coolant/drive belts -300$
3)Spark plugs replacement -225$
4)Adjust valves and replace outer valve cover gaskets-370$
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Amount: $683.00 Timing Belt and Water Pump
Posted by: Van in Yucaipa, CA.Purchased: February, 2004
Car Make: KiaCar Model: Spectra
Hours of Labor: ??
Car has 149850 miles for a '01, have never replaced either. Am lucky didn't bust while driving, however I think I paid too much looking at some of the lower priced post....oh well job is done. As long as it last another 150K
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Amount: $1,200.00 1999 Ford Explorer timing chain
Posted by: Brown in Hackensack, NJ.Purchased: 2010
Car Make: exploer 1999Car Model: ford
Hours of Labor: 6
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Amount: $847.63 Timing Belt + tensioner
Posted by: iknownothingaboutcars in Golden, CO.Purchased: January, 2004
Car Make: HondaCar Model: Odyssey EX 2003
Hours of Labor: 5?
Service light came on and I called the dealership. They said Odyssey requires new timing belt at 80,000 miles. It never failes, they called and said the t-belt tensioner was leaking and it would be cheaper (for labor) to replace it now. What choice do you have?
Timing belt maintenance (includes water pump and all belts) parts: $273.13 labor: $449.50.
T-belt tensioner parts: $125 labor: included
Total: $847.63 (Dealership July 2010)
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Amount: $900.00 Timing Belt, Water Pump, all belts, 2 oil seals
Posted by: Gabriele in Kitchener, Other.Purchased: January, 2004
Car Make: Acura (Honda)Car Model: 1.7 EL
Hours of Labor: 8
Replaced all belts, water pump and 2 oil seals.
Gave me 15% off of parts. Total drive away, 900.00
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Amount: $935.00 Timing Belt & Water Pump
Posted by: Megankre in Levittown, PA.Purchased: 2010
Car Make: HyundaiCar Model: Santa Fe 2002
Hours of Labor: 6
Unexpected - but only large item ever needed on my 2002 150,000 mileage car.
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Amount: $0.00 Timing belt and Water pump+ tensioner
Posted by: a user in Toronto, Other.Purchased: May, 2010
Car Make: ToyotaCar Model: Tercel
Hours of Labor: 3.5
Did it my self. Got the info from Michelle on demand. All I need was a jack and some normal tools.
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Amount: $1,150.00 Timing belt ETC...
Posted by: nashbelt in Nashville, TN.Purchased: July, 2010
Car Make: 98 ToyotaCar Model: Tacoma
Hours of Labor: 8 ish
Thermostat, fan belt, alternator belt, radiator flush, timing belt, tensioner, water pump, crank seal and fuel injector cleaning
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Amount: $548.99 Timing belt
Posted by: rh9911 in Southbridge, MA.Purchased: July, 2010
Car Make: KiaCar Model: Rio Cinco 2004
Hours of Labor: 5
Remove and replace timing belt, timing idler, and tensioners. Test water pump, replace antifreeze. Water pump was fine. Belt didn't look too bad either, but manufacturer recommended is at 60,000.
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Amount: $400.00 Timing Belt Repaced
Posted by: waseem in windsor locks, CT.Purchased: December, 2004
Car Make: ToyotaCar Model: Camry
Hours of Labor: 3.5
Mechanic also suggested changing water pump...another 1.5 hours of labor plus parts but refused. It did not made any sense that since they are changing timing belt I should also change water pump even there are no signs of wearing out of the pump
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Amount: $450.00 Timing belt, water pump
Posted by: Ronald in queens, NY.Purchased: March, 2010
Car Make: 1996 toyotaCar Model: camry
Hours of Labor: 5
Also changed the alternator and power steering belts, and the fuel filter, which took awhile.
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Amount: $450.00 timing belt +waterpump+envisioner
Posted by: donno in ballwin, MO.Purchased: December, 2004
Car Make: ToyotaCar Model: Camry
Hours of Labor: ?
mechanic says he will prefer replacing the water pump as well as the 2 laffers for additional 150$ on top of 300$ for belt replacement.
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Amount: $146.00 Timing Belt & Water Pump
Posted by: Spitfire in Chicago, IL.Purchased: November, 2004
Car Make: HondaCar Model: Civix Ex 2002
Hours of Labor: 7
Replaced the timing belt and water pump on my 02 Civic EX 1.7L Vtec. I was way over due for the change at 130K miles and wanted to do it myself to save som e$.
My friend works at the Honda local dealer and help with purchasing the parts at a discount. Took some time to do at home, but every thing went as planned. Replaced the belts and flushed & replaced the coolant with the new Type 2 coolant (Blue). Take care and spend as much time as needed to adjust the valves. Overall it took about 7 hrs to do every thing, purchased a Hayes book at the local parts store. If I need to do it again I figur that I can do it in about 4~5 hrs. Saved a ton of money and she runs very smoothly now.
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Amount: $700.00 Replaciing Timing Belt and water pump
Posted by: Amz in Denver, CO.Purchased: August, 2009
Car Make: HondaCar Model: Accord 2001
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Amount: $500.00 Timing Belt & Water Pump
Posted by: ToddC in Kansas City, MO.Purchased: August, 2010
Car Make: FordCar Model: Escort
Hours of Labor: unkonwn
Done at a extremely well-trusted shop; cost was about what I expected.
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Amount: $670.00 timing belt/water pump/coolant
Posted by: gail a in Elk Grove, IL.Purchased: July, 2005
Car Make: 2005 HyundaiCar Model: Sonota
Hours of Labor: 2 days
going next friday and car has 63,000 miles. Just paid off last week so this my first month Without a car payment plus an extra 270.00 will do it. A pain to pay, but if you want to keep car you gotta do it!!!
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Amount: $378.00 Timing Belt
Posted by: Coyote Dentist in Boise, ID.Purchased: November, 2005
Car Make: ToyotaCar Model: Tacoma
Hours of Labor: 3.8
Crockett's Custom Automitive is an ideal set up with a nice shop at his house keeping overhead down. I got quotes from $700 to over $1300 to change my timing belt, water pump, tensioner, and two pullies. Keith examined the tensioner and pullies and said they are good and said they usually don't need switched out until the second time around.
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Amount: $610.00 Replacing a Timing Belt Cost
Posted by: Julian in Des Plains, IL in SCHAUMBURG, IL.Purchased: August, 2010
Car Make: MITSUBISHICar Model: MONTERO SPORT XLS
Hours of Labor: UNKNOWN
Replaced the timing belt and water pump on my Mitsu Sport 3.5L at 105 K miles. Changed 3 other belts included in the price. Also paid for radiator flush but they did not even touch it. Next day went to another shop and replaced rads fluid along with oil & filter for an additional $ 110. Good luck to all of us...:-))
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Amount: $684.00 Timing Belt and Water Pump
Posted by: Shep Bugger in ABQ, NM.Purchased: August, 2010
Car Make: HondaCar Model: Civic
Hours of Labor: $314 worth
Changed Timing Belt/Water pump on my Trooper myself for about $250 in parts. Changed TB on a 92 civic for less than $50. Paid $350 to get Timing Belt changed on my Odyssey at BreakMisters, seemed like a fair deal. Went back to BreakMisters to get TB /water pump/other belts replaced on '03 civic and was charged almost $700!!

$53 for alt and AC belts
$247 for Timing Belt kit
$314 for Labor

I think I'm going back to doing this kind of thing myself....
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